Hey Gang, We took off the fenders for painting on my 52 3/4 ton. Now I am not sure how the braces attach back on for both the front and rear fenders. Stupid question, I know. But can you help? Anyone direct me to photos or diagrams? Hate to sound numb, but then again, I'm Just Learning! Thanks in advance, Eric
Hey Eric~ if you're talking about the front braces, two holes go with the two holes in the radiator support. near the top, (front) and through the inner fender. There are two bolts that go through the outer fender into the support that you may have more fun with. Chances are, these got broke off, so you'll have to be creative. I'll have pictures to post that will show what I'm talking about though. Course, I have a GMC, which is so much better (as far as construction) to the lesser Chevy, but hopefully the pictures might help. Good luck! =^)
On the rear fenders there is a hole in the bottom lip just behind the wheel opening for the outer end of the brace that is in a flat area in the bead and roughly triangular shaped. I have seen the inner end of the brace to either a hole in the frame or sharing a bolt that goes through the angle strip on the inside edge of the bed floor. If you put a bolt through the outer end then where the inner goes will show itself.
Sheet Metal Assembly Eirc ; The main thing to remember is this : when assembling the front end sheet metal , hang the parts one by one and leave the bolts / screws , loose by one or two turns as there's a _lot_ of jiggling needed to get all the bolt holes to line up and this is if your truck is low milage , never worked hard nor dented..... The average 55 year old pickup truck will have a 2° (or greater) twist in the frame for of the firewall.... It's all do-able though , just takes time and patience . My '49 came to me with two out of every three front end bolts gone missing I guesss the Barrio paint shop didn't think them important , Lord knows how many years it sagged like that , I had to get my secret weapon out : a 3' long , tapered drift I use in the bolt holes as a prybar to align the rest of the bolt holes.... yes . it really works a treat .
Still wondering Thanks for the thoughts -- but actually not wondering about front fender braces. Thanks for the thoughts on the rear fender braces. But isnt there also a fender brace in the rear section of the front fender? On the right fender, the antenna actually hooks, or grounds, onto it? The fender braces for the front of the truck seem fine. Any thoughts on braces for the rear of the front fender? Or am I wrong and these pieces I have left over go somewhere else. I should have taken pictures when disassembling, I know!!!! Thanks Eric
driver side front fender bracket there is another bracket on the driver's side of the outside firewall that bolts to the floor/firewall, and stabilizes the emergency brake pedal. look at my photos on this site, a photo titled "out of the paint shop" the bracket is visible installed behind the driver front tire. You can zoom in on it fairly well. Jim
